How often do you eat healthfully during the day, even finding time to hit the gym, only to fall victim to stress eating right before bedtime? Many of us pig out at night because we start to imagine all the stressful things that will happen tomorrow at work.

Some people also overindulge in fattening foods as a reward or compensation for surviving a tough day. In short, we often feel like we deserve treat upon treat because we work hard and deal with so many daily pressures.

However, with all these responsibilities and duties, the last thing you should do is stuff your body with fat-laden, sugar-filled binge foods.

If you’re concerned about the next day, take a minute to write down everything that is worrying you. It could be a big presentation, an important meeting with a client or the pressure of meeting new people. Once you’ve identified your worries on paper, it’s time to get them out of your mind entirely. Don’t look to potato chips, packaged cookies or other junk food for comfort.

Stress eating will fail to solve your problems, and your performance the next day may be hindered if you feel fat, sluggish and bloated from last night’s binge. Instead, indulge in a guilty pleasure that’s calorie-free.

Pamper yourself by reading a gossip magazine or watching reruns of your favorite TV show. If an activity helps you relax and keeps your mind off fatty foods and stress eating, think of it as an essential part of your day!